What college do most WNBA players come from?

WNBA Players & College Education

The WNBA has been a part of women’s basketball since 1997 and has since become a successful professional sports league. Over the course of the league’s 23 seasons, hundreds of players have come and gone, playing at the highest level of their sport.

Many of these players are college graduates, having earned their degrees from the universities they attended prior to or during their WNBA careers. In this article, we’ll take a look at the colleges from which most WNBA players come from and why college is important for those looking to join the league.

WNBA Players & College Degrees

The WNBA is made up of players from all over the world, but many of them come from the United States and its college basketball programs. According to the WNBA’s official website, more than 90% of the league’s players have a college degree.

Of those players, the majority attended four-year universities in the United States. The following is a list of the top 10 colleges from which WNBA players have graduated:

• UConn – University of Connecticut (17)
• Tennessee – University of Tennessee (15)
• Notre Dame – University of Notre Dame (14)
• Louisville – University of Louisville (13)
• Baylor – Baylor University (12)
• Duke – Duke University (10)
• Georgia – University of Georgia (10)
• Maryland – University of Maryland (9)
• Rutgers – Rutgers University (8)
• Stanford – Stanford University (8)

The Benefits of College

College is an important step for many athletes, as it provides them with the opportunity to hone their skills, gain experience, and develop their overall game. Beyond the court, college also provides athletes with the opportunity to earn a degree, which can open up many doors after their playing days are over.

For WNBA players, college provides even more. College gives players the chance to play in front of large crowds and receive national attention, which can lead to increased exposure and better chances of being drafted into the WNBA.

WNBA Draft

The WNBA Draft is an annual event in which teams select players from the college ranks to join their teams in the upcoming season. The goal of the draft is to give teams the best talent available and to give players the opportunity to take their game to the professional level.

The draft consists of three rounds, with teams selecting players in reverse order of their win-loss record from the previous season. Players who have finished their college eligibility and declared for the draft are eligible to be selected. The draft is held in April and the WNBA season begins in May.

WNBA Teams & Their College Connections

Each WNBA team has its own college connections, with some teams having a larger presence than others. The following is a list of WNBA teams and the number of former college players currently on their rosters:

• Connecticut Sun – 11 players
• Minnesota Lynx – 9 players
• Los Angeles Sparks – 8 players
• Phoenix Mercury – 8 players
• Chicago Sky – 7 players
• Washington Mystics – 6 players
• Atlanta Dream – 6 players
• Dallas Wings – 6 players
• New York Liberty – 6 players
• Las Vegas Aces – 5 players
• Seattle Storm – 5 players
• Indiana Fever – 5 players

WNBA Players & Their College Achievements

Many WNBA players have achieved great things in college, both on and off the court. Here are some notable accomplishments by WNBA players during their college careers:

• UConn – UConn has had 17 WNBA players, many of whom have won NCAA championships. Maya Moore led the Huskies to two national titles, while Diana Taurasi won three.
• Tennessee – Tennessee has had 15 WNBA players, including Candace Parker, who won two national championships and was the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game.
• Notre Dame – Notre Dame has had 14 WNBA players, including Skylar Diggins, who was the first player in school history to be a three-time All-American.
• Louisville – Louisville has had 13 WNBA players, including Angel McCoughtry, who was the first player in school history to win the Naismith Award as the nation’s top player.
• Baylor – Baylor has had 12 WNBA players, including Brittney Griner, who was the first woman to dunk twice in an NCAA tournament game.
• Duke – Duke has had 10 WNBA players, including Alana Beard, who was the first player in school history to be a four-time All-American.
• Georgia – Georgia has had 10 WNBA players, including Tasha Humphrey, who was the first player in school history to be a three-time All-American.
• Maryland – Maryland has had 9 WNBA players, including Marissa Coleman, who was the first player in school history to be a three-time All-American.
• Rutgers – Rutgers has had 8 WNBA players, including Cappie Pondexter, who was the first player in school history to be a two-time All-American.
• Stanford – Stanford has had 8 WNBA players, including Candice Wiggins, who was the first player in school history to be a three-time All-American.

The Importance of College for WNBA Players

College is an important step for many aspiring WNBA players. It provides them with the opportunity to hone their skills, gain exposure, and earn a degree, all of which can be beneficial in the long run.

College also provides players with the chance to play in front of large crowds and receive national attention, which can help them get drafted into the WNBA. In addition, it gives them the opportunity to learn from experienced coaches and teammates and to develop their overall game.

Conclusion

The WNBA is made up of players from all over the world, but many of them come from the United States and its college basketball programs. Of those players, the majority attended four-year universities in the United States, with UConn, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Louisville, and Baylor being the top five schools.

College is an important step for many aspiring WNBA players, as it provides them with the opportunity to hone their skills, gain exposure, and earn a degree. College also provides them with the chance to play in front of large crowds and receive national attention, which can help them get drafted into the WNBA.

References

• WNBA. WNBA Players & College Degrees.
• NCAA. Why College Is Important for Aspiring WNBA Players.
• WNBA. WNBA Draft.
• WNBA. WNBA Teams & Their College Connections.